Muhammad Bin Salman Utters Key Remarks Prior To China Visit
MEP: Saudi Arabian Deputy Crown Prince Mohammad bin Salman Al Saud has said in a press conference prior to his visit to China that his trip is a good opportunity for strengthening the bilateral ties between the two countries.
Pointing to the similar ruling systems of the two countries and the common views of their leaders on many issues the prince expressed hope that the visit would be a fruitful one in all arenas.
Indicating that China is a major exporter of consumer goods while Saudi Arabia is a big importer of these kinds of goods and that Saudi Arabia has repeatedly “satisfied China’s energy needs” bin Salman said: “In light of the good relations between the two countries we ask China to take the rights of its Muslims into consideration, protect the interests of Tibetans, and allow Uyghurs to perform their religious obligations because these issues are of prime importance for the international community.”
He added that Saudi Arabia has a long-term plan to build mosques and Islamic-cultural centers in Southeast Asia which would be discussed with Chinese “friends” during the upcoming visit.
The second Crown Prince went on to say that, he would ask China to clarify its stance on the issue of Yemen and Syria adding that his country is not aware of China’s relationship with Houthis and the ousted president Ali Abdullah Saleh.
Given the fact that China particularly concentrates its attention on economic aspects and most of the Chinese products pass through the Bab el-Mandeb Strait and the Red Sea close to Saudi Arabia’s borders and as China is the second largest importer of Saudi oil it is highly unlikely that China would take steps which put interests of the two countries at jeopardy, he remarked.
On the possibility of US and European Union arms embargo against Saudi Arabia the second Crown Prince and the Minister of Defense said, “We have alternatives among our Asian allies for importing weapons and exporting oil.”
Bin Salman also slammed U.S. for its presence in South China Sea which he believed is “creating tension” there and is against “common interests of China and Saudi Arabia”.
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